Huawei P60 Pro

Huawei P60 Pro Review: A Stunning Camera with a Few Lingering Questions

I've spent the better part of the last few weeks daily-driving the Huawei P60 Pro, and it's certainly a phone that leaves an impression. Coming in at a premium price point, it's clearly aimed at the top end of the market, and after putting it through its paces – everything from intensive gaming sessions to countless photo walks – I have a pretty good understanding of where it shines and where it falls slightly short. My initial impressions were definitely dominated by its striking design and the sheer promise of that camera system, but as with any phone, the devil is in the details.

Looking at the current smartphone landscape, the P60 Pro arrives with a distinct mission. Huawei, despite the well-documented challenges, is clearly not pulling any punches when it comes to innovation, particularly in the camera department. Their strategy seems to be laser-focused on delivering a best-in-class photography experience, and that's definitely what drew my attention. The pricing puts it squarely against heavy hitters from Samsung and Apple, but it carves out its own niche with a unique design language and, of course, its distinct software ecosystem. Whether that price tag truly justifies the experience is something I've been carefully considering during my time with it.

Picking up the P60 Pro for the first time, the word that immediately comes to mind is "premium." The Rococo Pearl finish on my review unit is genuinely eye-catching, shifting and shimmering in the light – it's a real head-turner. The phone feels solid and well-built in the hand, with a comfortable weight that doesn't feel overly bulky. The curved glass on the front and back seamlessly meets the frame, creating a smooth and luxurious feel. While I haven't put it through any deliberate drop tests (and wouldn't recommend you do either!), the materials feel high-quality, suggesting decent durability for everyday use. However, that glossy back is a fingerprint magnet, so be prepared to wipe it down frequently.

The 6.67-inch LTPO OLED display is an absolute treat for the eyes. From the moment I powered it on, the colors popped with incredible vibrancy, and the sharpness thanks to the 1220 x 2700 resolution made everything from text to high-resolution images look incredibly crisp. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate is a game-changer for smoothness – scrolling through social media feeds and navigating the interface feels incredibly fluid. I spent a good amount of time watching videos and the experience was immersive, with deep blacks and excellent contrast. Gaming also looked fantastic, with smooth visuals and responsive touch input. Even under bright sunlight, I found the display to be adequately bright, although I occasionally had to crank it up to maximum. For daily use, media consumption, and gaming, this display is undoubtedly one of the P60 Pro's strongest assets.

Under the hood, the P60 Pro packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G, and in my testing, it delivered a consistently smooth and powerful performance. I threw everything I could at it – graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact, heavy multitasking with numerous apps running simultaneously, and even some light video editing – and the phone handled it all without breaking a sweat. Gaming sessions were fluid with consistent frame rates, and switching between apps was instantaneous. While it's not the absolute latest and greatest Snapdragon chip, it's still a powerhouse that provides more than enough performance for even the most demanding users. One thing I did notice is that the phone manages its temperature quite well; even during prolonged gaming, it never felt uncomfortably hot in my hand. The biggest omission here, and it's impossible to ignore, is the lack of 5G connectivity. In a world where 5G is becoming increasingly prevalent, this is a significant drawback that potential buyers will need to consider, especially if they live in areas with good 5G coverage.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the camera system. Huawei has consistently pushed the boundaries of mobile photography, and the P60 Pro is no exception. My experience taking photos with this phone has been genuinely impressive. The 48MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed images with excellent dynamic range and natural-looking colors. But it's the 48MP telephoto lens with its impressive optical zoom capabilities that truly blew me away. I was able to capture crisp, clear shots of distant subjects that would be a blurry mess on most other phones. That hawk I spotted the other day? I managed to get a shot where you could practically count its feathers – the zoom is that good. The variable aperture on the main lens is also a clever addition, allowing for more creative control over depth of field. Video recording is also strong, shooting up to 4K at 60fps with effective image stabilization that kept my footage smooth even when I was on the move. While the overall camera performance is outstanding, I did notice that the HDR processing isn't quite as aggressive as some competitors, and I occasionally missed having more granular control over HDR settings. However, for most users, the out-of-the-box results are fantastic, making this one of the best camera systems I've used on a smartphone.

Battery life on the P60 Pro, with its 4815mAh cell, is adequate, but it's not class-leading. On a typical day with moderate usage – browsing, social media, some photography, and a bit of video watching – I could usually make it to the end of the day with a little to spare. However, on heavier usage days, particularly when I was actively using the camera or GPS, I found myself reaching for the charger earlier than I'd like. Thankfully, the 88W SuperCharge is incredibly fast. In my testing, I could get a significant charge in a very short amount of time, which certainly helps mitigate the slightly less-than-stellar battery life. The inclusion of 50W wireless charging is also a welcome convenience. While the battery life isn't a deal-breaker, it's something to be aware of if you're a power user who demands all-day endurance without needing to top up.

The software experience is where things get a bit more complicated. The P60 Pro runs on Huawei's EMUI, which is based on an open-source version of Android. While the interface is generally smooth and responsive, it's a distinct departure from the stock Android experience that some users might be accustomed to. There are a number of pre-installed apps, some of which might be redundant if you're coming from another Android ecosystem. The biggest hurdle for many will undoubtedly be the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means no native Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, or the Google Play Store. While there are workarounds and Huawei's AppGallery is growing, the app selection is still not as comprehensive as the Play Store. For some users, this might be a non-issue, especially if they are already familiar with the Huawei ecosystem or are willing to adapt. However, for others deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem, the lack of GMS is a significant compromise. Huawei's update policy, while generally consistent, also lacks the long-term guarantees offered by some competitors.

Ultimately, the Huawei P60 Pro presents an interesting value proposition. Its strengths lie undeniably in its stunning design and, most notably, its exceptional camera system. If mobile photography is your top priority, this phone is a serious contender and delivers results that are consistently impressive. However, the lack of 5G connectivity and Google Mobile Services are significant considerations. This phone is ideal for photography enthusiasts who are less reliant on the full suite of Google apps and are perhaps less concerned about having the latest 5G speeds. Those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem or who prioritize 5G connectivity will likely find themselves looking elsewhere. Compared to its competitors, the P60 Pro stands out for its camera prowess but falls behind in terms of software and connectivity.

In conclusion, the Huawei P60 Pro is a beautifully designed smartphone with a truly outstanding camera system that will delight photography lovers. The performance is excellent, and the fast charging is a definite plus. However, the absence of 5G and Google services are significant drawbacks that potential buyers need to carefully weigh against its strengths. If you're a dedicated photographer within the Huawei ecosystem or are willing to navigate the limitations of its software, the P60 Pro offers a compelling and unique experience. Otherwise, you might find more well-rounded options from other manufacturers.